Something A Little Happier

After depressing myself, talking about my Walter dog, I feel like I need to write about something a bit happier, and about things that make me smile.

Two Sunday's ago, Zack colored on the floor and wall in the church nursery. Last Sunday he managed to sneak a toy into his diaper bag (ok, he stole a toy, it just sounds nicer to say he snuck it home). We will be taking that back tomorrow. Maybe we need to start tithing more. We will designate our funds to go directly to the NE105 classroom, for cleanup and toy replacement. Despite being a vandal, and a thief, and wanting to climb the front of the fridge like it's a rock climbing wall, Zack makes us laugh, and we want 10 more just like him.

Today we went on a family run. James is planning on running the Tucson Marathon in December. I am planning on cheering him on. Today he needed to run 14 miles. Zack and I joined him for the first 7 miles. From a distance, we saw a man riding his bike, with his pet monkey on his shoulder. James saw this same guy last week. The monkey wears goggles. I need to see this up close. And, I might also get "Karen the Friendly Runner" on the bike riding monkey owner, and ask him lots of questions about his pet choice. How many people have pet monkeys? And how many of these people take them on bike rides?

AAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDD!!! I can't believe I almost forgot to blog about this! The exciting news in our life! The house next door is finally on the market! James came home on Tuesday (when I was a weeping wife), and asked me why I didn't tell him there was a for sale sign up in front of the house next door. We then took a family trip out front to all look at the sign together. We're gonna have neighbors! Yippee!

I think that's enough happy nonsense for now.

Is It Next Week Yet?

If we could get a 'do-over' or maybe a free pass to take us to next week, we would surely take it. It's been a long week at our house.

On Tuesday, I noticed that Walter the friendly beagle had been chewing on his back leg, resulting in some blood. Ewww. He had a weird old-man-dog bump on the back of his leg that we were going to have the vet look at the next time we took him in. Well, apparently Walter wanted us to take him to the vet sooner, rather than later, despite the fact that his legs no longer are able to take him in a forward motion once we go beyond the waiting room at at the vets office. He doesn't like it there, but if I had my temperature taken the way he gets his taken, I wouldn't go to the doctor ever. We didn't want his leg to get infected, so I called the vet to make an appointment for the next day. As soon as I got off the phone I started crying, and having irrational thoughts, that surely the bump was more than just an old man bump. When James got home from work I explained my tears to him, and he told me not to worry about it. We spent the evening at a YoungLife banquet, and I was no longer worrying about the beags. By the time we got home, I was convinced that Walter was going to need to have his leg amputated. I'm a completely rational person, most days.

On Wednesday I load Walter and Zack into the car, and we head to the vet. What could be more fun? Not much! We get there, and somehow I successfully get both the dog and a 1.5 year old into the waiting room, and then into the exam room. While the tech is trying to take Walter's temperature, I'm wrestling with him to keep him on the table, and watching Zack, who is attempting to open the door and leave the exam room. The vet comes in and looks at Walt's leg. He says it's a tumor, and needs to be removed, and that it's most likely cancer. My irrational Tuesday suddenly wasn't so irrational after all. I decided to leave Walter there so he can have the surgery that day. When I get to the car I call James and immediately start crying, and telling him that our dog is having surgery etc. I compose myself well enough to go through the Starbucks drive thru, and get a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Desperate times call for PSLs. When Zack and I get home I shed a few more tears, and tell Zack that his mama is just sad cause she loves the beagle. I put Zack down for his nap, and hear him in his crib saying "waaa taaa daaaaaaaag." He loves the beags too. Then I head into the office to check my email, and I'm greeted by a puddle of dog pee. A nice little gift from Walter, to remind me of his rotten side.

I picked Walt up from the vet late that afternoon (without Zack with me, MUCH easier!). He was a tired beagle, and pretty embarrassed because he has a shaved back leg. Boy beagles don't shave their legs. He was even more embarrassed when we got him an inflatable collar to make it so he can't take his stitches out. 12 days in that thing will surely humble the beagle. All day Thursday I spend watching Walt run into the walls with his inner tube. He has no concept of space. It was a long day, of Walt wanting to be inside, Zack wanting to be outside, and me wanting a day off. Friday I figure out how to manage the beagle and boy a little more effectively. Friday we also were told that our washing machine (that sounds like a 3 legged horse trying to gallop, not a good sound), is dead, and not worth fixing. A new washing machine and beagle surgery makes for an expensive week. Though, I would gladly buy a new washing machine, and dryer if it meant we didn't need to do surgery on the beags.

Today the vet called to let us know that the tumor was indeed cancer. He's optimistic, though. He got the whole tumor, with big margins. And, the tumor is grade 2, which means it most likely hasn't spread. Now, we just watch to see if it comes back. Of course, after I hear from the vet I once again start crying. Who knew I would shed so many tears over this beagle, who most days smells bad (ok, he smells bad every day), leaves white dog hair everywhere he goes, and howls too much?

I've been telling James how I feel so silly, crying over all of this. But, he reassures me that it's a good thing. And I agree, it is a good thing to have feelings, and to express them. And Walter has been a part of our life for the past 5+ years! Maybe he will be with us for a few more years, stinking up our house, and littering it with his white hairs. Or maybe he won't be here. Either way, it will be ok. We will grieve when we need to grieve. For now, we will continue to be thankful for our beagle, and all of the other good things we have in life.

We will also do our best to build up the self esteem of Walter, as this is what he looks like.

Poor dog. He's got a shaved back leg, complete with razor burn on his sensitive skin. Then we make him walk around with that thing around his neck? Wow. And, to top it off, when he's wearing that he snores SO loudly! Last night he was so loud, and wouldn't move, so I ended up sleeping on the couch. I'm surprised he doesn't wake himself up. At least he's got a pillow with him wherever he goes!

My Little Hooligan

Phrases recently heard in our house:


Zack, we don't color on the dog.
We sit on the couch, Zack.
Zack, don't chew on the cabinet.
No standing on the couch, Zack.
We don't run in the street, Zack.
Zack, sit down on the couch.
Stay on the sidewalk, Zack.
Zack, no feeding Walter.
We don't climb on the walls, Zack.
No climbing on your crib.
Sit down on the couch.
We don't play in the street, Zack.
Be gentle with Walter.
We don't hit mommy.
Zack, we don't throw food.
Be gentle with mommy.
Finger out of your nose, Zack.

And one that needs to be added, Zack, we don't color on the floor and walls in the church nursery.


Zack's response-giggle, giggle, giggle! On occasion he will shake his head no at me when I catch him throwing food to the dog. He's cute and he knows it. He also hears "I love you" close to 84 million times a day, and is showered with hugs and kisses until he is blue in the face. Maybe if we weren't so adoring of him, he wouldn't feel so comfortable being such a goof.

Thankfully, many of the things he is doing are normal, developmental tasks, and we don't need to fear that we truly are raising a hooligan. And, he's so cute! Even when he's being "rotten." We can't help but love him.

The task of raising a child is a big one, and some days it seems much bigger than other days. The task of raising a child who will honor God is an even bigger task. I want Zack to have good manners, not color the dog, and simply eat his lunch. But I deeply desire for him to love God. Of course, I have no control over him and his relationship with God. There are things I can do to help cultivate this relationship, however. The biggest thing both James and I can do is be an example of what it looks like to be a person who loves God, and follows His ways. Not a small task at all.

Thankfully we are not alone in this. We've got lots of friends who are raising children, and they have the same desires we have. And, we go to BSF, where Zack is taught a lesson on his level (as much as you can teach a 1 year old). They also give me great resources on how to teach children to pray, and about setting rules up for the home, etc. And, we've got people at our church who will help raise Zack up to know the Lord. And I can't forget the power of prayer!

I am so thankful for my little hooligan, and all of the antics that come along with raising him. I am thankful that God picked James and I to be his parents. We truly are blessed! I hope and pray that James and I will be the best parents we can be, and that we can be good examples of someone who loves God.

A Father Son Conversation

James: Zack, say Daddy!!

Zack: [Sticks tongue out. Blows raspberries. Smiles big.]

Me: [Laughter]

Later that night James read Zack his bedtime story backwards; started with the last page of the book, finished with the first page.

I love those boys.